
Wednesday, 7th January 2009
Gas supplies 'unlikely to be affected by Russia-Ukraine row' - Enemalta
Malta should not be affected by Russia's stoppage of gas supplies to Europe because its gas comes from European sources and is shipped over from France, Enemalta said yesterday.
Moreover, Malta imports liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which is in a completely different state from the natural gas in the pipelines in question, it said.
Russian gas supplies via Ukraine to south-eastern Europe and Turkey were halted yesterday after provisions intended for Ukraine's domestic use were switched off on New Year's Day.
Ukraine's state energy firm said Russia had cut flows through its territory by two thirds, jeopardising supplies to countries including Germany, while Austria and the Czech Republic have reported sharp falls in supplies in the deepening row between Moscow and Kiev over prices and debts.
Europe receives about a third of its gas from pipelines via Ukraine, so the move has sent jitters through its energy markets, according to Reuters.
However, Enemalta chairman Alexander Tranter said Malta's supplier was Europe-based and the product comes from European sources. Malta had changed its supplier from French Total to a Dutch-French company a few months ago, he said.
While some countries are in a crisis situation, most of the larger ones have substantial amounts of gas stockpiled after several mild winters and have access to supplies from sources such as Norway and Algeria, Reuters reported.
In 2006, practically to the date, a similar situation between Russia and Ukraine prompted a gas shortage in Europe but had no impact on Malta.







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Comments
If I don't pay my gas seller I don't get supplied.I don't know why Ukraine can't work that one out and hold the rest of us to ransom.
I am not misinformed but perhaps you are. I have been following this issue for the past two years. Why would Russia cut supplies to Europe and lose money?
Ukraine pays much less for its gas from Russia than other European states. However even if their gas comes at a cheaper price they owe millions of Euros to Russia and no agreement was found for the price of gas for 2009.
Whenever Russia cuts gas supply to Ukraine because it does not pay for it, Ukraine promptly steals gas destined for other European states since the gas pipes go through its territory. Then it blames Russia knowing that in Western Europe they are bound to side with pro EU Ukraine than with the Russian bear...
You are both right
As far as I know Russia is a European country as well.
Actually Russia did not stop gas supplies to Europe. Why should it stop them...it is a lucrative business! Ukraine was stealing gas which it was not paying for and Russia cut off Ukraine's supply. Ukraine then started tapping into gas that passed through pipelines that crossed its borders which was meant for other European countries. But no, we always have to paint Russia as the evil troublemaker even when it is not the case...